Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

198 The Earls of Middleton.
" I am glad of this opportunity of inclosing Mr.
Astley's (King James's) letter to you, to assure you of
the great regard I have for your friendship, of which
I have had many remarkable instances, which is
confirmed to me by several hands. Those of your
family cannot be ignorant that I had the happiness of
being born and bred in it ; and if they are not already,
I hope they will be quickly convinced that I have
never proved undutiful, and it is a common artifice of
people's enemies to make them jealous of their
friends. Unforeseen accident may defer the best
resolutions, but reason and interest will prevail, when
it is practicable, and those we deal with are con-
vinced, which is the principal point, and therefore I
hope nobody will despond. All our friends here are
in perfect health ; and I am most sincerely," etc.
In a letter written in cipher about this time, by
John Anderson, to the Hamburg merchant (or Lord
Middleton, to a member of Parliament), we have a
fresh instance of Marlborough's intrigues. 1
"June 20th, 1695.
" Nothing could be welcomer than yours of the
2 1st May, and Mr. Smith (King James) was extremely
satisfied with what related to him ; but, alas ! the
profit of what you insinuate is very remote, and
depends on great uncertainties ; for if either 368, or
1 Note by Macpherson.